1954: The original “Godzilla” is released in November by Japanese film studio Tojo, and while it’s only the second-most notable Tojo release that year (“The Seven Samurai” came out in April), it’s been followed by 27 official sequels and the 1998 American version with Matthew Broderick. Originally a metaphor for nuclear terror, the character has stood the test of time thanks to its trademark look (dinosaur) and sound (like the enormous baby of a crow and a battleship).

1956: The American version, “Godzilla, King of the Monsters!” is released, with Raymond Burr as reporter Steve Martin, a wild and crazy guy who narrates the story of the massive gorilla-whale (the literal translation of the original Japanese “Gojira.”) Although the remake is scoffed at by film buffs, it launches the worldwide success of the Godzilla character.

1962: The website SciFiNow calls “Mothra vs. Godzilla” the best in the series history, a corporate allegory that features an absolute avalanche of Godzilla destruction. Giant Lizard 1, Giant Moth 0.

1968: Tojo considered killing off Godzilla in the aptly named “Destroy All Monsters,” but instead he and a bunch of other monsters are exiled to Monsterland. I have a feeling they find a way out of there.

1977: Blue Oyster Cult releases “Godzilla,” the leadoff track off their gold album “Spectres.” Reached for comment, the real Godzilla called it a “tired rock ode,” then set the band’s tour bus aflame.

1978: The Saturday morning cartoon version of “Godzilla” airs its first episode, with Ted Cassidy (Lurch from the Addams Family) on board to do the scream. Was there anything that didn’t get its own Saturday morning cartoon in the ’70s?

1989: The “Godzilla: Monster of Monsters” video game is released for Nintendo, with players able to control either Godzilla or Mothra. According to a French review of the game: “Ce n’est pas un chef-d’oeuvre, mais qu’on n’aille pas le faire passer pour une nullité!” Tough to argue.

1998: Although the Matthew Broderick American remake of “Godzilla” made at least $200 million more than its budget, it was the recipient of six Golden Raspberry Award nominations for the year’s worst in film, and sequels were canceled.

2014: Reboot! With enough time to wash away the bad taste of the previous attempt, a darker “Godzilla,” with the best cast in the franchise history, hits the streets. Hard. With pavement shattering force. SCREECH!!!!